After Senegal's shock defeat World Cup holders France Friday in Seoul, fellow Africans Cameroon predicted that by capitalizing the formidable trio of Patrick Mboma, Marc-Vivien Foe and Rigobert Song, they could win against Ireland on Saturday.
The striker, midfielder and defender form the core of a talented Cameroon side which, as African champions, are considered a good outside bet for the title.
They have the ability to undo Ireland whose midfield heart has been seriously weakened by the shock axing of skipper Roy Keane. "The three of them all together are the heart of this team," Cameroon coach Winfried Schaefer said.
"Song is the leader is his field, he's very impulsive, he gives a lot in a good aggressive sense. Foe is more quiet but he too brings a lot to the team, and obviously Mboma is a great forward."
The two sides meet in their opening Group E clash here with Ireland still coming to terms with coach Mick McCarthy's shock decision to send Keane home after a heated confrontation.
The young Cameroons have turned themselves into a disciplined squad under German-born coach Schaefer. And only victory will do if they are to reach the last eight to repeat their achievement in Italy 12 years ago.
"We'd like to go as far as we went in 1990, so to do that we must win on Saturday," said midfielder Lauren.
Ireland declined to predict a win in opening matches as their ambitions wavered in the absence of Keane, saying that a draw would not be a disaster. "It'll be a great relief to be concentrating on football again," McCarthy said.
"We'll settle for what we get...we want to win but the main thing is not to be beaten. There are still two games after that so you can't get carried away with one result."
Cameroon shocked then world champions Argentina in their first ever World Cup game on their way to the 1990 quarter-finals, they had just managed to draws in both opening games of the 1994 and 1998 finals.
Probable teams:
Ireland (4-4-2): 1-Shay Given; 2-Steve Finnan, 14-Gary Breen, 5-Steve Staunton, 3-Ian Harte; 7-Jason McAteer, 8-Matt Holland, 12-Mark Kinsella, 11-Kevin Kilbane; 9-Damien Duff, 10-Robbie Keane
Cameroon (4-4-2): 1-Boukar Alioum; 2-Bill Tchato, 5-Raymond Kalla, 4-Rigobert Song, 8-Geremi; 12-Lauren, 17-Marc-Vivien Foe, 2-Salomon Olembe, 3-Pierre Wome; 9-Samuel Eto'o, 10-Patrick Mboma
Referee: Toru Kamikawa (Japan)
Linesmen: Mat Lazim Awang Hamat (Malaysia)
Roland van Nylen (Belgium)
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